Page 39

Theo

The next morning, my alarm’s harsh chirp pulls me out of the few restless hours of sleep I managed to get. I was up too late last night getting everything mapped out for EnergiFusion. I drag a hand down my face, trying to shake the fog.

There’s still the most important piece of this yet to be determined. Today has to be the day I start making things right with Mackenzie.

I toss the covers back and sit up, exhaustion washing over me. A hot shower barely makes a dent. Levi’s baseball game is my chance , I remind myself. My way in . And afterward, I get to spend the day with him. That alone is worth showing up for. It’s been too long.

I get dressed and head to the kitchen, where, soon, the coffee machine sputters and hisses. When it’s finished, I take a sip and lean against the counter. The warmth in my chest might be the caffeine. Or it might be resolve building beneath it.

I fire up my laptop. I wrote this proposal late last night, so before I print it, I quickly reread, looking for any errors.

But it seems ready to go.

A few clicks and the printer starts whirring, page after page sliding out like clockwork. At the top of the offer it says, Chief Operations Officer, EnergiFusion . It’s more than a title. It’s recognition and a step toward something we should have done a long time ago for the good of the company.

I flip through the printout, scanning the offer. The salary speaks for itself. But the real kicker? If Crystal is indicted, half of Crystal’s shares—three and a half percent, will be reassigned. That kind of equity will give Mackenzie real power and real ownership in what she’s helped build.

And if that’s not enough? I’ve got one more card to play.

I’ll give Mackenzie some of my own fifteen-percent stake.

The thought tightens my jaw. Justin tried to do this for Crystal, but he failed. I’ll do it the right way, though, and I know it will be worth it if it gets Mackenzie to stay on with us, if it helps her see what I see. I know the other founders will agree.

I fold the documents carefully and slide them into the inside pocket of my jacket. No mistakes. This has to work.

I take a breath and catch my reflection in the kitchen window.

“Time to go,” I mutter, grabbing my keys.

Downstairs, Phillip is already waiting. We drive across town, and he drops me off close to the baseball diamonds. Golden Gate Park buzzes with early-morning energy. Parents cradle coffee cups, and coaches wrangle their teams. The smell of fresh grass mixes with the cool, damp air. Baseball bats smack balls. Field hockey sticks clack in the distance. The weekend is in full swing.

My eyes scan the diamonds, looking for Levi. Looking for her.

Levi spots me first. His grin is immediate, and he waves, calling attention to me. A group of his teammates turns to look. I straighten my jacket out of instinct, but this isn’t about impressing kids. This is about Mackenzie.

And then I see her.

Sunlight catches in her hair, lighting her up like something out of a fairy tale. She’s talking to someone—her father, Gordon.

A small knot tightens in my chest. This talk has to happen, and it needs to be just the two of us.

I walk across the field with purpose, the soft crunch of grass underfoot matching the pulse in my ears. “Good morning,” I say as I reach them, offering Gordon my hand. His grip is firm. Measured. The look he gives me? Pure Dad—one question, without words. What are your intentions?

I turn to Mackenzie and offer a smile. One that I hope conveys more than I’m willing to say in front of her father. “Thanks for letting me spend the day with Levi.”

She nods. “He’s packed enough to keep you busy for a month,” she says, motioning to the duffel bag at her feet, easily large enough for a weekend trip.

“Looking forward to it,” I reply, though my mind is still strategizing about how to have this conversation with her.

Before I can say more, a woman sidles up beside us, curiosity wafting from her like perfume.

“Josie Plumpton,” she says, with a smile. Her eyes find my empty ring finger and stay there just a beat too long. I know the look.

“Which one is yours?” she asks, pretending it’s casual.

“I’m a friend of Levi’s,” I answer evenly. Polite. Brief. Not interested.

Mackenzie glances between us, but Josie’s not moving. I don’t want to be rude, but if I wait too long, I might not get a private moment with Mackenzie before Levi and I head out. She’ll be managing her father after the game, most likely.

“Excuse me,” I say to Josie and turn to Mackenzie. “Could we take Levi’s bag and put it in Phillip’s car?”

There’s the slightest pause, but then she nods. “Sure.”

I lift Levi’s bag and fall into step beside her. As we walk, the sound of whistles, cheers, and baseball chatter fades into the background.

“Mackenzie, there are some things I need to say to you. Not because I have any excuse for the mistakes I’ve made, but because I want you to understand that I’m sorry.” I pause briefly, and when she doesn’t push back, I forge ahead.

I explain that my poor judgment when Levi was sick should in no way be an indication that he or she is not important to me. “I think it’s more that I didn’t fully understand children and what they need. And I was frazzled by the case and not thinking clearly. But none of that matters. It shouldn’t have happened, and it will never happen again. For what it’s worth, Scott felt terrible about it too. He’s been reassigned elsewhere, and I’ll never count on anyone from Jim’s team to do anything other than what they’re hired to do.” I assure her. “Please don’t let that error—terrible as it was—overshadow all the other time we’ve spent together, all the ways we’ve grown to know each other…and care about each other,” I add hesitantly, trying not to push too far.

She still doesn’t say anything, but in a way that’s a relief. I can tell she’s listening, and she gives a slight nod.

“Like I said, I’m grateful that you trust me to spend time with Levi today, and I hope you’ll consider me a resource for anything he needs. He’s important to me, and I want to be part of his life, in whatever way you’ll have me.”

She stops and turns to look at me as we reach the car. “I appreciate you saying that, and I understand. I don’t know exactly how to navigate this, but I just want what’s best for Levi. And…” She sighs. “I’m sorry too. It’s possible I overreacted. Don’t get me wrong, that was a terrible situation, but I realize you didn’t do it on purpose or because you had no regard for Levi’s safety. You just trusted the wrong person, didn’t think through your options correctly. That can’t happen again.”

“Absolutely not,” I assure her.

She nods again.

“Thank you. I appreciate you letting me say that and accepting my apology.” I clear my throat. “Now to the next matter at hand… None of us wanted you to leave EnergiFusion,” I tell her. “You’re too important. The company isn’t the same without you.”

She shakes her head. “I can’t work as an executive admin anymore.”

“That’s fine,” I say, pulling the folded document from my jacket. “Because that’s not what we’re offering.”

Her brows lift slightly, but she takes the paper, unfolding it with care. She scans each line, quickly at first, then more slowly.

“CEO is too big a role for one person,” I explain. “You know we’ve been talking about that. And we’ve finally split the job. This is what we’re proposing for you.”

Her fingers tighten around the pages. Then her eyes widen, snapping up to meet mine. “Ownership shares?”

I nod, heart pounding. “Yes. All signs point to Crystal being indicted. And once that happens, the company will take back her shares. We’d like to direct half of her shares to this position and half to Jeannie.”

Her lips part, but nothing comes out.

“And if that doesn’t happen, I’ll get you some shares another way,” I add quickly. “I want you to have a stake in what you’ve helped create.”

Emotion creeps into her eyes, and she quickly blinks it back, pressing her lips together as if afraid of what might escape. “I need time to think about this,” she says at last, folding the paper again.

“Of course.” I keep my voice even, calm. But I’m not done. “I also want to mention that with you in this new role, we’ll be partners—in a different way than we were before. I hope that will make you more comfortable, should you have any interest in continuing to explore other aspects of our relationship.” I clear my throat. “Because I would certainly like those, uh, extracurricular activities to continue.”

The corners of her mouth turn up.

“I hope you’ll give this some thought and then join us. There’s no one better suited for this position, and we’d love to have you as part of the team again. We need you.”

She nods.

“And when that happens,” I add, my voice softer now, “I’d like to celebrate properly. That is if you want to.”

The air between us shifts, and I watch her take it all in—this offer, this moment, this possibility. A future we’ve both tried to walk away from, yet it’s now standing right in front of us.

Her hand brushes over the folded paper in her palm. I can see the battle playing out in her eyes—logic fighting hope, fear warring with trust.

“Just think about it,” I say gently. “That’s all I’m asking.”

She nods. “I will.”

It’s not a yes. But it’s not a no.

And that’s progress.

“Mackenzie, just to be clear, I’d like to start over completely. I’d like us to date again. Danica gave me an idea when we were working all this out last night…” I swallow the nerves building in my throat. “I could sign something. If things between us didn’t work out…I’d leave EnergiFusion.”

Her eyes widen. “You’d do that?”

“Without hesitation.” I step closer, holding her gaze. “Because I love you. Every woman I’ve dated since meeting you, I’ve compared to you.”

Mackenzie steps back slightly, her eyes going wide.

“This is a lot,” she says finally, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s something I’ll consider. Just…give me some time?”

Her voice is softer now. Less guarded.

“Take all the time you need,” I tell her. “And of course the job offer stands either way. You don’t have to date me to be our COO.”

“Thank you,” she replies, and for the first time in a long while, she offers a genuine smile. It’s small, but it knocks the air from my lungs.

“And those extracurricular activities you mentioned… Not gonna lie, stress relief does sound appealing.”

I laugh, the tension breaking. “Totally optional. But highly recommended.”

The crack of a bat cuts through the morning air, signaling the start of a game on a neighboring field, and it seems Levi’s game is starting as well. The players have taken their positions.

“Guess we should get back,” I say, not quite ready to let the moment go.

“Right.” She nods, slipping the offer into her jacket.

I stash Levi’s bag in the car, and we walk back side by side, the tension between us giving way to something easier. Lighter. Hopeful. But I don’t press. Hope is all I can do right now.

As we settle into the stands, I remind myself that the fight for Mackenzie isn’t over, but I actually believe I might win.

The energy of the game is electric—kids shouting, parents cheering, every play filled with possibility. Levi is at bat and hits a line drive out to a boy who’s sitting in the grass in centerfield. Levi runs to first base and is rounding second before the boy even realizes the ball is his responsibility. But by then, it’s too late. It’s like Levi was made for this, determination written in every step. He rounds third base and when he gets to home plate, he stamps on it with both feet. The crowd erupts and jumps to their feet, and I’m one of them.

When the game is over, Levi races toward us. “Did you see that?” he asks me, an orange slice in one hand and a juice box in the other.

“See it?” I crouch down. “Barry Bonds better watch out. You’re coming for his record.”

Levi grins, glowing with pride.

“You did great,” Mackenzie says, her face full of all the love she holds for him.

“Thanks, Kenzie!” Levi beams, then turns as his dad walks over.

“Hey, champ,” Gordon says, placing a hand on Levi’s shoulder. “What a great game. And I hear you’re spending the afternoon with Theo while your sister gets a little break.”

Levi nods eagerly, already bouncing, ready to re-tell every second of his big moment. But then he pauses and looks up at his dad. “Can Theo invite you next time?”

For a second, the moment hangs in the air. It catches us all off guard.

Then his dad chuckles, shaking his head with a smile. “I’d like that.”

“You’re welcome to join us today,” I offer.

But Gordon shakes his head. “Next time. Today, I have to do some shopping for a more permanent place to live.” Then he looks at Mackenzie. “But don’t worry. Levi can stay with you as long as he wants.”

She nods. They’re both working hard to keep the balance. They’re a family shaped by love and compromise, by history and hope. And their connection runs deeper than I can fully understand yet.

But I want to understand it.

I want to be part of it, in whatever way Mackenzie and Levi will let me.